Government funding to restore historic Thinkers’ Lodge

By Chris Dowbiggin

Amherst Daily News

PUGWASH - The Government of Canada is to complete phase two of their major investment in the restoration of the Thinkers’ Lodge National Historic site in Pugwash.
The restoration project is receiving over $1 million in funding from various provincial organizations, including ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland. The goal is to maintain Thinkers’ Lodge original status as a prominent heritage property and a symbol for world peace.
Cumberland-Colchester-Musquobodoit Valley MP Scott Armstrong said the restoration is more than just protecting the estate from aging and becoming unstable, it is about keeping its history intact.
“By restoring this facility, we are protecting a global icon and ensuring that generations to come can learn of the role Pugwash played in building a bridge over the old Iron Curtain – supporting a global movement for peace, security and nuclear disarmament,” said Armstrong.
Thinkers’ Lodge is known as the birthplace of the Pugwash movement, an international association that led the movement for a world free of nuclear weapons and warfare. The estate received the 1995 Nobel Peace Prize for the many conferences maintain nuclear peace on its property.
The restoration will include the full outside maintenance and re-furnishing of the mechanical, electrical, and heating systems, walls, doors and windows.
Amherst town councilor Dale Fawthrop said his previous visits to Thinkers’ Lodge provoke feelings of a calm, relaxing nature, that works well with the historic, peaceful atmosphere of the house.
“Today, you can walk through here and use your imagination and try and breathe in the atmosphere that’s here,” said Fawthrop.
“For people today and in the future, they’ll be able to handle and grapple some of the issues we have today by going back to the roots.”
The rest of the phase includes the development of an interpretive master plan, business plan and marketing strategy. The restoration plan will take effect over the coming months of 2011.
Part of the funding will also go towards the restoration of the dinner hall in the historic Pugwash Lobster factory.